Stacking device



Dec. 10, 1940. E, N. NECKEL sTAcKING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Oct.16, 1939 Flo-l INVENTOR BEYDMUND N. NECKEL #2% vffgwv ATTO NE 5 FIG.- 2

Dec. 10, 1940. E, N. NECKEL STACKING DEVICE Filed oct. 16, 1939 2Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG-3 INVENTOR EDMUND N. NECKEL BY ATTORNEYS PatentedDec. 10, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE STACKING DEVICE Applicationoctober 1s., 1939, serial No. 299,621

4 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for stacking iiat folded articles.While the mechanism is usable for any kind of fiat articles, litis moreparticularly adapted for fabric articles which have been ironed andfolded, and more especially those fabric articles which arecomparatively large in area and are more or less soft, flimsy or limp,either on account of the texture or character of the material itself orthe manner in which it has been dried. Diapers whichhave been tumblerdried or otherwise air dried are in this class. They do not have eitherthe glazelike finish or the body stiffness characteristic of other worksuch as napkins or table cloths or even handkerchiefs. l

One object of the invention is to provide an improved stacking machinewhich stacks the articles by supplying them to the bottom of the pileand properly supports them, even though large and iiimsy, while sodoing.

A further object is to provide an improved machine of this kind whichstacks from the bottom upwardly in a manner to minimize the amount oflift of the pile While adding a new article thereto.

A further object is to provide an improved stacking machine in which thesupporting plates for the pile are withdrawn horizontally While thelifting plate raises the next article into proper position for additionto the pile.

Still another object is to provide an improved machine of this kind inwhich the movement of the stack supporting plates is produced in timedrelation with the motion of the lifting plate while elevating the nextarticle.

Another object is generally to improve the mechanism for actuating theseveral plates and other operating parts to simplify the sameand securethe most efficient and properly coordinated operation.

Further objects of the invention are in part obvious and in part willappear more in detail hereinafter.

In the drawings, which represent one suitable embodiment of theinvention,

Fig. 1 is a plan view illustrating the stacking mechanism in detail andthe casing of a folding machine with which it may be associated;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation;

Fig. 3 is a fragmental elevation, from the right in Fig. 2, illustratingthe `stacking mechanism in normal position ready to receive an articleto be stacked.

Fig. 4 illustrates the same Yparts in their respective positions whenthe lifting plate nears the plane of the supporting wings,

Fig. 5 is a similar view, illustrating the parts when the lifting platehas passed above the plane of the Wings, which have then returned totheir supporting position. Y

Fig. 6 is a sectional'plan view on the line '6-6, Fig. 4, and

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view on the line 1 1, Fig.: 6.

While the stacking mechanism of the present invention may be used byitself, with the work fed to it by hand or machine, or may be associatedwith any other cooperating machine, such as an ironing machine or anytype of folding machine, the drawings, for purposes of illustration,show stacking mechanism combined With a foldingy machine, all parts yofeach thereof being of the same form shown and described in anapplication for folding machine, Serial Number 299,617, iled of evendate herewith by George W. Johnson, to which reference may be had forfurther illustration or description if desirable or necessary.

The folding machine is illustrated generally at l. It requires nodetailed description except to say thatA articles to 'be folded, such asdiapers are introduced to it by applying them flatwise to the workreceiving belts 2, which feed them to folding devices which produce twofolds, one 1ongitudinal and theother transverse, and deliver thetwice-folded four-ply article to a curved plate 3 down which they slideby gravity .toward and into the stacking mechanism now to be described.

Plate 3 extends into the stacking mechanism, at the far end of which itsedge is turned up to form a stop 4, which stops the article and properlypositions it for registration with the lifting plate 5 of the stackingmechanism.

The lifting plate, as shown in Fig. 1, is provided with a plurality oflaterally extending 1ingers 6, lying in recesses or slots in thatportion of the plate 3 which extends through the stacking device. Inother words, that area of the plate 3 which lies within the stackingdevice is recessed or cut away with an opening of the same shape as thelifting plate 5, so that when plate 5 lies at the same level `as thehorizontal portion of plate 3, the two together form a continuous platealong which the article travels to its final position against the stop4. When in such position, if the lifting plate rises it elevates thearticle with it.

Above the plates 3 and 5, in the stacking device, are a pair of likestack supporting plates,

respectively marked 1, 8, each provided with inwardly extending lateralfingers 9 which register with the spaces between the fingers 6 of thelifting plate 5, so that free movement of the lifting plate above thestack supporting plates 1, 8 when in their stack supporting positionshown in Fig. 3, is possible and is permitted.

The two stack supporting plates 1, 8, have lateral movement toward andfrom each other, preferably in timed relation with the upward movementof the lifting plate 5, so that as an article upon the plate is liftedwith it, theside plates 1, 8, are withdrawn to permit free unobstructedfurther advance of the article to a level above plates 1,v 8, whereuponplates 1, 8 automatically move inwardly to receive and support the stackas a whole, when the lifting plate descends. The construction andarrangement for this purpose is as follows:

Plates 1, 8 at each end are provided with sleeve portions I9 mounted toslide upon rods 'I I, the two plates being biased toward each other bytension springs I2.

Lifting plate 5 isI provided witha depending operating post I3 which hassecured to it a rack I4 meshing with a pinion I5 on a shaft I6, Figs. 2and 6. Said shaft has pinned to it a lever I1 provided with a pawl I8normally held in engagement with a ratchet wheel I9, secured to a sleeve2D in which the shaft I6 is journalled. Also secured to the sleeve is alever member 2I connected by a link 22 to a sleeve I0 carried by plate1.

Also secured to the sleeve 20 is a gear 23 meshing with a gear 24 on astub shaft25 provided with an arm 26 corresponding to arm 2I andsimilarly connected by a link 21 to the other stack supporting plate 8.

The depending post I3 of the lifting plate 5, at its lower end, isprovided with a roller 28 for engagement with a pad or plate 29 on onearm of a lever 30 actuated by suitable mechanism, including a link 3IWhen a twice folded article reaches and is received by and properlypresented on the lifting plate, lever 30 is operated and the plate iselevated, the upward movement thereof, through the rack I 4 and pinionI5, rotating shaft I6 and turning lever I1, which-through its pawl I 8rotates the ratchet wheel I9 and sleeve 29, and through the gearedconnection 23, 24 causes the two plates 1, 8 to move outwardly upon therods I I against the tension of springs I2. Such movement of the platestakes place while the lifting plate 5 is moving from the position shownin Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 4. Continued movement of the liftingplate elevates the freshly folded article abovel the level of thesupporting plates 1, 8. When the lifting plate reaches the elevationshown in Fig. 5 the pawl I8 has reached a raised portion on a cam memberIa attached to the frame, which cams the pawl to the out of engagementposition with the ratchet wheel, and

the springs I2 thereupon become effective to return the plates 1, 8,links 22 and 21, the levers 2 I, 26 to their original inward positions,with the tongues of plates 1, 8 lying beneath the side edges of thearticle. Therefore, when the lifting plate 5 is lowered by reversemovement of lever 30 the article and the rest of the pile above it areretained by plates 1, 8 and rest thereon. Suitable guiding posts 33 forthe stack may be supported upon the frame or brackets attachedthereto.

The invention provides simple mechanism of improved form, involvingminimum stack lift and securing proper timed relation between thelifting and supporting plates as well as other advantages that will beapparent to those skilled in the art.

What I claim is:

1. Stacking mechanism of the character described, comprising avertically movable lifting plate upon which an article may be fed to bestacked, side plates, horizontally movable slides supporting the same,two interengaging pinions, one fory each slide, operating connectionsfrom each pinionv to its slide, and means operatively connected to saidlifting plate and to one of said pinions for actuating the same.

2. Stacking mechanism of the character described, comprising avertically movable lifting plate upon which Van article may be fed to bestacked, side plates, horizontally movable slides supporting the same,two interengaging pinions, one for each slide, operating connectionsfrom each'pinion to its slide, and means operatively connected to saidlifting plate and to one of said pinions for actuating the same, saidmeans including a pawl `and ratchet connection for operating the saidpinion, and means for uncoupling said pawl and ratchet.

3. Stacking mechanism of the character described, comprising avertically movable lifting plate upon which an article may be fed to bestacked, side plates, horizontally movable slides supporting the same,two interengaging pinions, one for each slide, operating connectionsfrom each pinion to its slide, and means operatively connected to saidlifting plate and to one of said pinions for actuating the same, saidmeans including a pawl and ratchet connection for operating the saidpinion, means biasing said slides to stack supporting position, andmeans arranged upon elevation of said lifting plate to uncouple the pawland ratchet to thereby release the slides for movement to stacksupporting position.

4. Stacking mechanism of the character described comprising a verticallymovable lifting EDMUND N. NECKEL.

